"Now, that's the letter of an ordinary human being," said Lady O'Brien, "barring an eccentricity in the ink and paper. Maybe the devil's not so black as he's painted." "It's very polite," said I, "but I wouldn't trust him. I'd distrust him all the more when he was by way of being civil." "Well, we'll see, we'll see. It won't be long till to-morrow at five." "I'll wait and hear what he has to say," I said. "I'll tell you what. I'd better see him alone. But if you'd care to be present at the interview you can just sit inside the alcove there and pull the reed curtains. He'll never see your black frock in the dark, and if he does, why, it's no business of his." "Esther is not to know, I suppose." "Better not. It would only agitate her. Wait till it is over. Perhaps she is awake now and longing to see you." She rang the bell and asked if Miss Brandon was awake, and the reply was in the affirmative, so I went upstairs to Esther's pretty room. The dusk was beginning to gather, but I could see that she looked ill, though she had a bright colour. Her eyes were heavy and her aspect listless. "I'm afraid I'm in for a feverish cold, Hilda," she said, when we had greeted each other. "My throat is sore and my hands very hot. Feel them." I took her hands in mine and felt them dry and burning. "What is it, Essie?" I said tenderly; "worry?" "Not altogether that. The day before yesterday, when my godmother had driven to Iniscrone on business, and I was supposed to be nursing a little cold I brought from Kilkee, I slipped out and ran all the way to Brandon Abbey, thinking there might be a word or a flower for me in the old place. But there was nothing, and it rained hard coming back, and I got very wet, and said nothing about it." "Oh, Esther, that was foolish!" "I know; but you don't know how I am driven to do something. It seems as if I was lying here and letting all my life slip through my fingers." "Can't you trust other people to do for you just for the present?" "Ah! my godmother has been talking to you. You know I have told her everything." "Yes, I am glad of it. She is a stout friend, although only a frail little old fairy godmother. Trust her, Esther. She will do all that love and courage can." "I know. She is wonderful. But what are we against Sir Rupert? If we had only a man with us! If Pierce had lived and been strong!" "God's in his heaven, Esther." "Yes, I try to pray and have faith, but I am afraid of the Cross. What if it were His will to take my Harry?" "He would give you courage, and would bear your Cross with you. But His will for you may be just as well your heart's desire." "Yes. I went into a church one day at Kilkee. The door was open, and someone was singing at the organ: 'O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, And He will give thee thy heart's desire'.